Webster davis



un.' 6|5,2oe. Patented Nav. 29, |893.

-I. J. BABCUGK. Lock.

(Application led Dec. 29, i801.)

(No Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

lUNITED STATES PATENT Ormeao IRA J.' BABOOOK, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,206, dated November 29, 1898. Application filed December 29. 1897. Serial No. 664,174. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t wur/y concern:

Beit known that I, IRA J. BABCOOK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, (Brooklym) county of Kings, State of New York, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in key combination-locks of the type known as locking-bar locks, wherein a series of independently-movable tumblers are arranged in combination with a locking-bar in such manner that thetumblers may be locked, through the cooperation of the locking-bar, in practically as many combinations as there are dilferent mathematical combinations possible from a number of things equal to the total number of tumblers. In such locks there may be as many different keys as there are possible locking combinations of tumblers, and only that key which locked the tumblers or its exact duplicate can open the lock. In such looks it is indispensable that the locking combination shall not reveal itself to delicate feeling with a pick and shall not permit an impression to be obtained of such combination, and it is the purpose of this invention to prevent both the picking of the lock and the obtaining of an impression and also to allow the lock to be locked in both directions.

To safeguard the lock, it is necessary that every tumbler, whether locked or unlocked, shall have exactly the same degree and ease of motion., shall feel exactly the same to a pick, and give the same impression on a blank as every other tumbler; but heretofore these results have not been properly attained, because pins have been heretofore employed to limit the motions of the tumblers, and springs have been used to compel the tumblers and locking-bar to go to the full limit of their throws. The result has been that when some combination of tumblers has been locked and an attempt has been made to feel out the combination some of the tumblers would be 'moved up against the limiting-pins and others against the locking-bar, and a very delicate touch could sometimes detect the difference, and thus finally work out the combination; or if a blank were inserted it would sometimes be possible to get an impression of the locking combination, owing to the dierent elasticity of the pins and locking-bar, aided by the springs. It is also practically impossible in manufacturing the locks to attain such perfection that the tumblers Will bring up in the same manneron two dierent parts, and the dilference might be sufficient to permit feeling out the combination. The use of stop-pins, moreover, prevents allowing the tumblers to be moved from the neutral or unlocked position in both directions in locking, and one of the especial advantages of the present invention is that it does not permit of constructing locks in which the tumblers can be locke-d in both directions, such a double-locking lock being hereinafter shown and described.

Therefore this invention consists, broadly,-

in the combination of the locking-bar and independently movable tumblers so constructed and so arranged in cooperation with each other that the locking-bar equally limits the movement of all the tumblers both in the locked and the unlocked positions when the effort is made to open the lock and without any springs or pins. Thus in the attempt to open the lock with a pick every tumbler comes up against the same locking-bar and with the same degree and kind of motion, and no difference of feeling is perceived, nor can an impression of the locking combination be obtained,`for both the locked and the 11nlocked tumblers are equally free to move within the small limits imposed by the locking-bar, and all can be turned indifferently a little this way or that without any resistance of springs or other parts.

Mechanically the invention broadly consists in the combination of a rotatable locking-bar and independently-movable tumblers, each of which has an exactly similar projection for rotating the locking-bar'and other similar projections adapted to engage on the locking-bar and limit the play of the tumblers.

The essence of the invention is applicable to any key combination-lock of the lockingbar type, and I therefore show on the drawings and describe in the specilication its application to several locks. I also hereinafter IOO 2 Giaee fully describe in detail the construction of one of said locks which includes several subsidiary inventions which I claim in this application. I do not, however, fully describe the details of the other locks, since they in clude inventions which l particularly describe and especially claim in other pending applications.

Referring to the drawings which accompany the specification, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the invention applied to a padlock and showing the shackle locked. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same as seen from below; and Fig. o is a similar section of the same parts, but in the unlocked position. Fig. et is a view from below, but on large scale, showing certain tu mblers and the locking-bar in locked position. The shaded projections 5 (j indicate the tumblers which are in the locked position. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing all the tumblers and lockingbar in the unlocked position. Fig. Gis a diagram illustrating the spacing of the projections of the tumblers. Figs. 7 and S are plan views of the lever which locks and releases the tumbler-case which contains the tumblers, locking bar, and other parts through the agency of the locking-bar in the locked and unlocked positions, respectively. Fig. 9 is a plan of a washer. Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate two several keys. Fig. 12 is a section, on large scale, of the invention applied to a cylinder-lock which is arranged to lock in both directions and showing the tumblers and locking-bar in the unlocked position. Fig. 13 is a similar section, but showing the locking-bar and certain of the tumblers in a locked position. The shaded projection indicates the locked tumblers. The stationary casein this iigure is slightly turned from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1Q. Fig. 14 is a section on the line 1l 14 of Fig. 13 and showing the parts in the locked position. Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic plan, and Fig. 1G an edge view, of one of the tumblers, illustrating the spacing of the projections. Fig. 17 is a plan, and Fig. 1S an edge View, of a washer. Fig. 19 is a side view, partly sectioned, of a lock equipped with sliding tumblers. The parts are in the unlocked position. Fig. 2O is a similar view, but showing the locking-bar and certain of the tumblers in the locked position. The locked tumblers are indicated by the shading. Fig. 2l is a plan of awasher. Fig. 22 is a side view, partly sectioned, of sliding tumblers and a locking-bar adapted to lock in both directions.

Referring to that form of lock shown in Figs. 1 to 8, A is the case of a padlock, B the shackle, and b the sockettherein to be engaged by the bolt. The tumblers are assembled between the bottom plate C and the top plate D, which are positioned the proper distance apart by the shield Il and fixed by rivets on said shield and by the axial pin f of the tuinblers F. Said plates C D, when connected together as described, constitute what I terni the tumbler-case. E is the key-barrel, which may bc a cylinder slotted for the passage of the key, the slot being open on one side to permit the bits of any key K to project to engage the tumblers in the manner hereinafter described. A longitudinal rib e2 on said barrel E serves to move the tumblers to the full limit of their throw both in locking and unlocking. Said key-barrel is the axis around which the tumbler-case rotates in locking and unlocking and is also provided with necks e e', which have a Working fit through plates C D, and neck c comes flush with the outside of case A when the lock is assembled, neck e having a working it and being movably held in a socket in the top A', which carries the shackle B. The lockingbar G, pivoted in plates C D, is constructed and operates as hereinafter described. The holt D' is formed as a part of or fixed on said plate D and in the locked position enters socket b of shackle B, thereby locking said shackle. As the lock unlocks the tumblercase rotates tothe position of Fig. 3, withdrawing bolt D from socket b, and permits the shackle to be raised and turned in the usual manner.

There may be any desirednumber of tumblers F, each capable of independent rotation, and between each pair of tumblers is a stationary washer L. Each washer is of thin metal, preferably shaped as shown in Fig. 9 and provided with a hole Z, which iits on the pin f, and with projections l on the end adjacent to shield II, so that said washers are held stationary by en gagng said shield. Said projections Z Z are spaced so as to allow of the free sweep of the bits of the key. Each of said tumblers F is provided on the side adjacent to said shield II with a true-key slot l and false-key slots 2 3, each spaced on opposite sides of said slot 1 an angular distance equal to the angular revolution of the tuinblers. On the side adjacent to the tumblers the said shield 1I is cut away su'iiciently for the ready insertion and sweep of the key in locking and unlocking, and therefore whatever tumblers are locked or unlocked there will always be two lines of recesses at the open side of said shield 1I, and said recesses will not indicate what tumblers are in either position. Said shield H will also prevent a pick from reaching by to feel the third recess and also from reaching the lockingbar G. On the side opposite to said shield H and adjacent to said locking-bar G each of said tumblers F is provided with projections 5, G, and 7, projection C in particular serving to rotate the locking-bar G from the locked to the unlocked position' and the reverse and also in certain circumstances serving, like projections 5 and 7, to prevent rotating the tumblers by engaging on the locking-bar, as will be hereinafter explained. The surfaces S) 10 11 of said projections 5 G 7, respectively,

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'are preferably shaped on arcs of circles such that when either projection is `4against the locking-bar, as in Figs. 4 and 5, said arcs are parallel to t-he peripheral curve of said locking-bar G-that is to say, they then coincide with arcs of circles struck from the axis of the said locking-bar as a center. Fig. 5 makes this clear as to projections 6 and 7, and the same is true of surface 9 of projection 5. The distance of projections 5 and 7 from projection 6 is such that if lines a: y e', Fig. 6,'are drawn from the axis of the tumbler to the points Where said arcs 9 10 11 intersect the outer ends, respectively, of projections 5 6 7 the angle between any two adjacent lines, as fc y or y z, will be equal to the angular movement of Ithe tumbler in locking or unlocking, and the Width of the ends of projections 6 and 7 is sufficient to interfere with said lockingbar G if an attempt is made to surreptitiously open the lock. Said locking-bar G, pivoted in said plates as said, is suiiiciently long to extendacross the edge of all the assembled tumblers, Fig. l, and is preferably shaped in cross-section, as shown. Said locking-bar is provided with arms or ribs 15 16, separated by a slot or groove 17, which extends the whole length of said locking-bar and in which the projection G works somewhat like the tooth of a gear, the coaction of the tumblersy and locking-bar resembling that of a gear and pinion. Said arm 15 of the locking-bar is preferably hammer-shaped in cross-section, as shown.

On the end of locking-bar G, adjacent to the cap A', is a cam 20, which engages in a recess or talon 2l of a plate-lever 22, pivoted on the pin f. Said lever 22 is provided with a hook 24, adapted to engage on the end of said cam 20 When locking-bar G is in the locked position, Fig. 2, and prevent the said locking-bar from turning too far, and is also provided with a hook 26, which is bent at right angles to the plane of said plate-lever 22 and works in a curved slot 27 in the cap A. At the end of said slot 27, adjacent to the position of hook 26 when the lock is locked, is a recess 28, into which said hook 26 is moved by the locking-bar to prevent turning the tumbler-case to the unlocked position until the lock is unlocked.

The lock is operated as followsz-Suppose it to be unlocked, all the tumblers F and the locking-bar G being in the positions of Fig. 5, the tumbler-case in the position of Fig. 3, and the bolt D withdrawn from the socket in shackle B. Now a key having a combination of bits 30 3l 22, corresponding to some combination of tumblers, is inserted and turned in the direction ofthe arrow, Fig. 5. Said bits BO 31 32 engaging in the true-key recesses 1 of the said tumblers, the tumblercase turns to the position of Fig. 2, wherein bolt D enters socket bin shackle B, and further motion of the tumbler-case as a whole being prevented by said hook26 the key turns said tumblers to the locked position of ing-bar to the locked position of Figs. 2 and 4, wherein said arm 15 just clears the projection 6 of said locking-tumblers, the rounded periphery of said locking-bar meantime sweeping freely by the surfaces 10 and 11 of the projections 6 and 7 of the tumblers which were not moved by the key. As the lockingbar turns its cam 2O turns lever 22, so that the hook 26 cornes into the recess 28 and prevents turning back the works to withdraw the bolt from the shackle, and hook 24 preventsturning the locking-bar too far. As the tumblers come to the limit of their movement, which is determined by projections 5 coming against the periphery of the lockingbar, the bits of the key pass out of the recesses in said tumblers and the key continues turning, the rib c2 of barrel E entering the recesses 3 of such tulnblers as were locked and the recesses 1 of such as remained unlocked and lining all up just as the key turns to the full end of its motion. The lock is now locked and the key may be Withdrawn.`

To unlock, the same key as locked or the exact duplicate thereof is inserted and turned in the reverse direction to that of locking. Its bits engaging the slots 1 of such tumblers as were locked turn same back to the unlocked position, the projections 6 of such tumblers engaging arm 16 of locking-bar G and turning it back to the unlocked position. As the locking-bar turns its cam 20, engaging lever 22, moves hook 26 out of recess 28, and the continued pressure on the key rotates the tumbler-case as a whole back to the unlocked position, hook 26 now moving freely back through slot 27. At the final movement of the key rib e2 on barrel E,lengaging in slots 2 of all the tumblers, lines all up. The lock is now unlocked.

Suppose when the lock is locked an effort is made to open the lockwith a false key having some bits,amon g others,whieh Will engage some of the unlocked tumbler-s. Then the projections 7 of such tumblers will move so as to be engaged by arm 15 of locking-bar and prevent same from turning back to the unlocked position.

Suppose an effort is made to feel out the combination with a pick. Then since all the tumblers, whether locked or unlocked, have their motions limited by the locking-bar G and the free play of all is equal in all directions there is no indication of what tumblers are locked or unlocked. Alsol if the pick moves any unlocked tumbler as far as it will go toward the unlocking position its projection 7, being engaged by arm 15 of lockingbar G as the locking-bar begins to move, will prevent said locking-bar from turning to the unlocked position.

If an effort is made to obtain an impression of the combination, all the tumblers being IOO IIO

equally free to move all will make the same impression in the blank, and no indication of the combination will be given.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 1G, which show the principal features of the invention applied to a cylinder-lock, S is the external fixed case; T, the internal rotatable cylinder or tumbler case; F, the annular tumblers, and G' the locking-bar. Said tumblers and locking-bar are now shown constructed and arranged to lock in both directions; but I do not herein claim said construction specifically, since the same is fully described and claimed in another of my applications pending in the Patent Office, nor do I herein show or describe all the minor details of construction, since said figures are shown only to indicate how the principle of arranging the locking-bar and tumblers so that the locking-bar shall limit the motion of the tumblers without requiring any stop-pins or springs is applied to cylinder-locks. Each of said tumblers F is provided with two projections 40 4:1, which are adapted to rotate the locking-bar in locking and unlocking in one or the other direction, and with two surfaces 42 43, which are also in effect projections and are adapted to limit the motion of the tu mblers when in the locked position by engaging with the locking-bar. As shown, said tumblers are practically eircles, with the spaces between said surfaces l2 and projections l0 Il cut away, the ends of said projections being on the same are as the general periphery of the tumblers. The surfaces 45 4G 47 t8 of said projections are preferably shaped on arcs of circles in the manner described in connection with the tumblers of the padlock. Said tulnblers center and turn easily within the tumbler-case T, and around the central orifice of each tumbler is a number of recesses 51 52 53 54 55 5G 57, all spaced an angular distance apart equal to the angular rotation of the tumblers Slot 50 serves as the true-key slot and the others to conceal the relative position of the tuinblers, since whether any tumbler is locked or unlocked there is always presented to the keyhole the same number of lines of slots. Said locking-bar G' is now provided with three arms GO (il (52. Said arm GO has two hammershaped surfaces, as shown, one of which will just clear said projection 40 in one locked position, and the other of which will just clear said projection Il in the other locked position. The back Gl of said locking-bar is preferably shaped on an arc struck from the axis of the tumbler-case T as a center and is positioned so that when the locking-bar is nnlocked it will pass freely by the inner wall of the fixed case S, but that when the lockingbar is locked one of its edges will enter one or the other recesses 68 69 in the said case S, and thereby prevent turning the tumbler-case T, which latter will be operatively connected with a bolt in any suitable manner. Between each pair of tumblers is an annular washer 7 O, of thin metal, preferably circular in shape,

with projections 71 72, which enter recesses 74E 75 in case T and hold the washers stationary. The orifice in the center of each Washer is large enough to permit of the free insertion and sweep of the key X. A key-barrel can of course be used, but I prefer dispensing with it and using a key which has a cylindrical shank 7 (i, equipped with the desired combination of bits on one side. A stop-pin 78, (or equivalent device,) working in a circular groove in the tumbler-case T, limits the inotion of said case.

In operation the parts being in the unlocked position of Fig. 12 the desired key being inserted engages in the key-recesses 50 of some combination of tumblers. As the key turns to the locked position of Fig. 13 it first revolves the tumbler-ease T until the lockingbar G comes opposite recess 0S, and then the p rojcctions 4l of the loeking-tumblers, engaging on the corresponding su rface of arm (50 of locking-bar G', rotate said locking-bar to the locked position, in which one edge thereof enters said recess G8, and the ends of said projections 40 of the locking-tumblers prevent the locking-bar from turning out of said recess (58 to free case T until the same key or its exact duplicate has been inserted in the lock and turned in the reverse direction, restoring the parts to the unlocked position. Similarly, if, the works being unlocked, the key has been turned in the other direction it would have locked the tu mbler-ease in that direction, the edge of the locking-bar turning up into recess 69.

Referring to Figs. 19, 20, and 2l, U is the tumbler-case, which will be placed in an outer case. (Not shown.) F2 are the sliding tumblers, and G2 the locking-bar, which is similar to that shown in connection with the padlock; but, as will be understood by those versed in the art, a locking-bar similar to that shown in Figs. l2 and 13 and arranged to lock both ways can be used with the sliding tumblers by providing the proper arrangement of projections on said tumblers. and such a locking-bar,in combination with sliding tumblers, is shown in Fig. 22. True-key recesses SO and false-key recesses 8l S2 are provided in the outer edges of each tumbler and spaced equally apart a distance equal to the throw of the tu mblers, 83 beinga shield around the key. On the edge adjacent to locking-bar Gz each tumbler has a projection 85, adapted to rotate the said locking-bar, and also has surfaces 86 S7, which are practically projections on opposite sides of said projection S5 and at a distance therefrom equal to the throw of the tumblers. The surfaces S8 80 90 of said projections are preferably shaped ou arcs of circles, as hereinbefore described in conneetion with the rotating tumblers. Between each pair of tumblers is a Washer 92, preferably shaped as shown and of thin metal and provided with projections 93 94, which enter spaces 9G 97 in case U and hold the washers stationary, said washers also being cut out IOO IIC

on the opposite side, as at 98, to permit of insertion and the free sweep of the key.

Supposing the parts unlocked and in the position of Fig. 19, a key being inserted and turned will shift some combination of tumblers to the position of Fig. 20, rotating the locking-bar Gr2 to that position in `which it locks the tumblers, as hereinbefore described, only the key which locked or its exact duplicate being able to open the lock.

Referring to the aforesaid Fig-22, the locking-bar G3 is similar in shape and construction to the locking-bar G of Figs. 12 and 13. The tumblers F3, shaped as shown, are provided with the projections 104 and 105 to .move the locking-bar in the one or the other direction and with the projections 106 107 to limit the eXtreme motions of the tumblers by bringing up on the locking-bar. True-key slots 100 101 and false-key slots 102 103 are for-med in the other edge of each tumbler, so that Whatever may be the positions of the tumblers two straight lines of slots will be accessible from the keyhole and no indication of the position of any tumbler will be given.

The projections of the sliding tumblers, as well as those of the cylinder-lock, in combination with the locking-bar, permit ofl dispensing with all springs and stop-pins and,

insure the security and other advantages hereinbefore enumerated.

Now, having described my improvements, I claim as my invention- 1. The combination in a key combinationlock of a series of independently-movable tumblers and alocking-bar adapted to be actuated by such tumblers as move and to limit the play of all said tumblers both in the locked and unlocked positions thereof, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a key combinationlock of a rotatable locking-bar and a series of independently-movable tumblers each of which has a projection adapted to rotate said locking-bar and other projections adapted to engage with said locking-bar'and limit thev motions of said tu mblers, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a key combinationlock of a rotatable locking-bar, a series of 'independently-movable tumblers each having a projection adapted to rotate said lockingbar and other projections adapted to engage with said locking-bar and limit the motion of said tumblers, a key, a key-barrel therefor and aprojection thereon adapted to move said tumblers to the extreme limit of their throw, substantially as described.

4t. The combination in a key combinationlock, of a rotatable locking-bar, a series of independently-movable tu mblers adapted to engage therewith, and a lever adapted to be moved by said locking-bar and to lock and release the tumbler-case, substantially as described.

5. In a key combination-lock, an oscillating tumbler-case carrying a locking-bolt and equipped with a rotatable locking-bar and independently-movable tu mblers adapted to engage with the locking-bar, and a lever adapted to be moved by said locking-bar and in one position to lock said tumbler-case and in the other position to release the same, substantially as described.

6. In a key combination-lock, an oscillating tumblercase carrying a locking-bolt and equipped `with a rotatable locking-bar andindependently-rotatable tumblers adapted to engage With the locking-bar, a recess in the lockcase, a lever adapted to be actuated by said locking-bar so as to enter said recess and lock the tumbler-case in one position and be free from said recess in the other position, substantially as described.

7. In a key combination-lock the combination of a rotatable locking-bar,independently movable tumblers adapted to engage therewith, and a lever adapted to be engaged by said locking-bar and limit the motionv thereof, substantially as described.

8. The combination in a lock of a rotatable locking-bar provided with arms separated by a groove, independently-rotatable tumblers having true and false key slots equally spaced, and also having a projection adapted to engage said arms and move said locking-bar and other projections equally spaced on opposite sides of said first-named projection and adapted to engage with said locking-bar and limit the motion of said tumblers, substantially as described.

9. The combination in a key combinationlock, of a rotatable locking-bar, a series of independently-rotatable tumblers adapted to engage with said locking-bar and provided with true and false key slots equally spaced a shield adjacent to and open toward said tumblers, a key, and a barrel therefor provided With a projection which is adapted to bring all the tumblers up to the limit of their throw, substantially as described.

10. The combination in a key combinationlock, of independently-movable tumblers, a locking-bar engaged by the tumblers and adapted to hold said tumblers in the locked or unlocked position, a cam on said lockingbar, and means adapted to engage said cam and hold said locking-bar in its operative position, substantially as described.

11. The combination in a keycombinationv lock, of independently-movable tumblers and a locking-bar adapted to mutually limit their respective motions without pins or springs, a cam on said locking-bar, a lever adapted to ICO IIO

engage with said cam and to hold said locking-bar in operative position, and a slot in the case adapted to lock said lever in one position and release it in another, substantially as described.

' 12. The combination in a lock of independently-movable tumblers and rotatable lockmy invention I have signed my naine, in presence of two witnesses, this 28th day of December, 1807.

ing-balI engaging tlleiewitii,and a lever adapted to be moved by said locking-bar, and said tumbiers, 1oekng-bzw and lever being adapted t0 limit the motions of the tumblers and y IRA J. BABCOCK.

5 locking-bar Without springs or pins, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as Witnesses z REUBEN SHOLTZ, BERNARD J. ISECKE.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 615,206, granted November 29, 1898, upon the application of Ira J. Babcock, ot' New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Locks, au error appears in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 65, page 1, the Word not should be stricken out; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 13th day of December, A. D., 1898.

[SEAL] WEBSTER DAVIS,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Countersigned C. H. DUELL,

Commissioner of Patents. 

